Olympic Briefs -- Beijing Turned a Profit; Martina Loses Appeal

Beijing Turns $16 million Profit

Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president for BOCOG said Beijing would see a profit of $16 million.

"Based on our earlier estimates, revenues would be about 1.625 billion US dollars, while costs came in at 1.609 billion U.S. dollars," Jiang said at parliamentary hearings. "However, our initial results suggest that the surplus is larger than we had anticipated."

China's original investment in the Beijing Games was $40 billion.

Jiang also said the venues used for the Beijing Olympics will be utilized in different ways, but they will not turn into the so-called "white elephants." He did say the Bird’s Nest Stadium would be the most difficult venue to create a legacy.

"We have a plan for the National Stadium. Considering the size of the venue, it will need cooperation from all sides to make it work. But things look promising," Jiang was quoted as saying.

Jiang said four tasks remain for BOCOG. The first is the completion of the audit, which lead to the initial finding of a $16 million profit. The second is what to do with remaining goods and materials; third is where to place BOCOG employees and then must come the final summary.

Jiang said BOCOG "will try" to complete the summary by June.

CAS Dismisses Martina Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed the appeal to allow Netherlands Antilles sprinter Churandy Martina to be reinstated as the silver medalist in the 200-meters at the Beijing Olympics.

Martina finished behind Usain Bolt. After the race, it was determined third place finisher American Wallace Spearmon committed a lane violation and was disqualified. It was further determined, after the USOC filed an appeal against Martina, that he too committed a lane violation and Martina was subsequently disqualified as well.

The appeal from the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee, which was filed against the IAAF and the USOC claims the USOC filed the decision too late.

However, in a press release explaining the court’s decision, CAS said the USOC's appeal was based on a rule from the athletics federation which clearly says no decisions based on this rule can be appealed.

"Furthermore, the sole arbitrator did not find any exceptional circumstances in this matter which could give grounds... to review a field of play decision,'' CAS said in its decision.

Chinese Sports Minster: China Can’t Repeat Beijing Medal Tally

China shouldn’t expect to top the medal tally in London as the country is not a sports superpower. That’s the word from China’s deputy sports minister Cui Dalin.

"We won 51 gold and total 100 medals to rank top at the Beijing Olympics, which was a historic breakthrough," Cui was quoted by Reuters as saying to the Chinese parliament’s sports advisory board.

"After this great success, how Chinese competitive sports should develop in the future and what we should do for the London Olympics has become the question.

"Are we still able to simply pursue an increase in the gold medal number? Obviously, that's impossible and not pragmatic.

"We can't relax and rest on our previous achievements... We always have to focus on our defects."

Cui said the "defects" were sports where China has had relatively little success, sports such as football and athletics.

"How could a country that wins zero gold medals in the 47 events of track and field be called a strong power in sports? How could a country with its football as bad as China's be called a strong power in sports?

"Our target for 2012 is to fight to improve the athletics, swimming and three big balls (football, basketball, volleyball) while maintaining a certain number of golds."

Kenneth Henry, Gold Medalist in Speedskating, 1929-2009

Kenneth Henry, a three-time Olympian and gold medalist in the men's 500-meters at the 1952 Olympics in Oslo, Norway died on Sunday. He was 80.

Henry competed in three straight Olympics, starting in 1948, all in the 500.

He won the 1950 world championship in that event as well.

"In the sprints he was unbeatable, just smooth as glass," said Chuck Burke, a two-time Olympic competitor against Henry.

In 1952, Henry false started twice before going on to skate a time of 43.2 seconds, just one-tenth off the Olympic Record.

He was lucky to have even competed in Oslo. The army's draft board had recruited him to fight in the Korean War, but he was able to delay service to compete. His other Olympic achievements included lighting the cauldron at the 1960 Winter Olympics and coaching the women's team at the 1968 Games.

Henry is survived by his wife, Roselle; sons Kirk and Ken; and four grandchildren.

Written by Ed Hula III.